Kelleys Island

Island connection

sbradford — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:06:07 +0000

Island connection

May 1, 2024

Nearly a million people visit the tiny cluster of islands at the western end of Lake Erie each year, and most of them arrive by boat — specifically, on one of three ferry services that tote folks across the water from Port Clinton, Catawba, Sandusky, and Marblehead.

All three — Kelleys Island Ferry, Miller Boat Line, and Jet Express — welcome pets and bicycles. Two, Kelleys and Miller, also take freight: cars, motorcycles, large trucks, construction equipment, and tractor trailers. Once, Kelleys transported an entire circus, including tigers and elephants, across the lake on its boats.

The rates are reasonable — though that cost is definitely a consideration for anyone, say, building a house on the island, according to Eddie Ehrbar, a captain for Kelleys Island Ferry. The cost to transport all the workers, equipment, and materials alone could add as much as $20,000 to the price tag of a new house, compared to what it might cost to build on the mainland.

Ehrbar is one of a half-dozen full-time Kelleys captains, who, along with nine part-timers, keep the service’s five boats running from Marblehead to Kelleys Island nearly year-round. “In season, we’re running a boat every 30 minutes — we just raise the ramp and go,” Ehrbar says. “But in the off-season, we’ll give a couple minutes leeway here or there.”

Of course, the trips are at the captain’s discretion when things get rough. “Most of the guys will run in 6- to 8-foot seas,” he says, noting that most passengers stay dry by entering the cabin or staying inside vehicles when it’s that rough, though some prefer to get wet standing on the deck.

The Jet Express is a different animal than the other two. It’s only for people, pets, bicycles — and speed. The Express operates four boats with capacities between 149 and 385 passengers, and each is propelled by diesel water jets situated in catamaran hulls. One of the company’s boats, the Jet Express IV, was formerly owned by a New York City operation (it was named M/V Monmouth at that time) and was involved in the emergency sea lift of thousands after the 9/11 terrorist attack.

“[The Jet Express boats] can do what no other boat line in this region can do, and that is to cover a vast distance in a very short amount of time with a large number of people on board,” says Chase Eagleson, marketing manager for the Jet during the 2023 season. “The fastest boat can top out over 40 mph.”

Jet Express services carry a higher price tag, but folks say it’s worth it, especially for a day trip or a quick dinner on the island.

For all three ferry services, business is full throttle from May until autumn — though at times, people there joke that the islands may sink if any more people arrive.

“There comes a point where businesses and infrastructure simply cannot support any more traffic, and we’ve had moments where they said, ‘Hey, you’ve got to stop bringing people over,’” he says. “It’s kind of hard to plan for until you’re there; you just have to play your cards.”

Most of the time, the ferry business is a ho-hum affair. Every now and then, however, something extraordinary happens. In August 2010, for example, when a Cessna airplane carrying a pilot and three passengers hit the water just short of the South Bass Island runway, Miller Boat Line Captain Steve Rose sprang into action, and the resulting rescue video hit newscasts and spread across the internet like wildfire.

“I just thought, ‘We need to get over there and get the people out of the water,’” Rose told reporters after a ceremony honoring Miller employees. “I just want to thank my crew. They really hopped into action. All the training we do really pays off in the end.”

Kombi nation

sbradford — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:34:42 +0000

Kombi nation

September 1, 2022

James Proffitt

Features

Love of kombi is an affliction that runs deep and can span decades — ask anyone who suffers. Specifically, ask those who assemble at the Kelleys Island 4-H campground each autumn for LEAKOIL’s annual weekend camping event, Kombis on Kelleys. LEAKOIL invites its members and other owners of classic Volkswagen buses to gather, gawk, and gush over the classic cultural icons often associated with road-tripping, hippies, and the peace movement. This year’s event will be Oct. 7–9.

“I was one of the first ones coming here 20-plus years ago when we camped at the state park,” says Columbus resident Brett Esquivel, though she notes that marriage and children interrupted for a while. “Two years ago was my first time back here camping, and I brought my 14-year-old daughter. She just loved it.”

LEAKOIL stands for Lake Erie Area Kombi Owners Involvement Group, and “kombi” is short for the German word kombinationkraftswagen, or roughly translated, station wagon.

Esquivel said there are disadvantages to owning an old bus, including the “old rust-bucket” itself (as she describes her 1972 camper) and the constant attention it requires.

“People are always saying, ‘I love your car!’ and ‘Can I look inside?’” she says. “Of course, I always let them. And people offer to buy it all the time, too, but I would never sell it.”

After a small family kerfuffle, she acquired the vintage bus from a sibling in 1997 for the price of its set of new tires. Then it sat at her suburban Columbus home, moving only on rare jaunts around the neighborhood before another kerfuffle, this time with her homeowners association. As a result, it was towed, extensively repaired, plated, and joyfully returned to the road.

Esquivel’s friend Kathy Kern, also from Columbus, has a 1968 kombi, which she went to great lengths to own — all the way across the country, actually. She spoke of it fondly as she stood among a convoy of VW kombis waiting for the ferry at last year’s event.

“We flew out to California before the internet, and bought it from one of the old Auto Trader magazines. Got it from the original owner,” she said with a lilt of satisfaction in her voice. “Then we drove it home.”

An apparent prerequisite to bus ownership is the willingness to display endearing decals; Kern’s bus has one that reads: “0 to 60 in 5 minutes.”

“My mechanic made me put that on there and, well, it’s the truth,” she chuckles. “It’s to let the guy behind me know to not be in a hurry, because we’re not going anywhere fast.”

The official LEAKOIL logo, in fact, features a bus dripping oil. When asked about mechanical issues, Kern interrupts.

“All the time,” she says with a laugh. “Last year we didn’t make it here with the bus, we broke down in New Washington. That’s why I travel in a group — so if it breaks down, there are people to work on it. In fact, there’s a book that lists an entire network of people across the U.S. that will help you repair Volkswagens.”

Fortunately, Kern did in fact make it to Kelleys — but without the bus; she just parked it, hopped in a friend’s bus, and kept heading north. Her van was repaired by the time the campout was over, and she drove it back home.

Port Clinton resident Craig Stephens had his 1964 split-window bus at the event — “split,” meaning the windshield is two pieces of glass instead of a single wrap-around. Only pre-1968 buses feature the two-pane windows, and such owners consider themselves lucky.

“A split would be the most sought-after out of the buses here,” he says. “In general, the split window’s the coolest bus. It’s also true that it’s not ‘if’ it’s going to break down, it’s ‘when’ it’s going to break down. Because it’s going to break down, and that’s why you carry tools.”

Despite the fact that Stephens’ van is a coveted “splittie,” it is not loved by all. “My wife’s not a fan of it,” he says. “Her idea of camping is on the fifth floor at the Hilton.”

But Kathy Kern says that there’s not really a pecking order among the bus crowd.

“No, they’re all loved by everyone,” she says. “We’re one big family and I’m sure everyone here would be more than willing to talk to you about their bus. Trust me.”

The lowdown:

Official name: VW Transporter
In production since 1950
Air-cooled four-cylinder engine
Earlier versions top speed: 60
1968 sticker price: $2,765
2022
Low retail: $18,700
Avg. retail: $41,400
High retail: $74,900
(JD Power)
Over 13 million sold worldwide

Winter's tale

aspecht — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:18:20 +0000

Winter's tale

November 30, 2020

Becky Linhardt

Features

Kelleys Island is both the largest American island on Lake Erie and also the town that covers the island’s entire 4.4 square miles of land. During summer, it’s one of Ohio’s most popular travel destinations, drawing upward of 250,000 visitors during the tourist season.

“Downtown is pretty lively in the summer,” says Jordan Killam, director of the Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. “Visitors patronize our businesses, dock at our marinas, stay in our lodging properties, and tour our nature preserves.” Kelleys Island State Park and its sand beach is also a big draw.

As the summer season comes to an end, though, and the tourist-related business slows to a trickle and then stops altogether, residents of the island begin making their own winter plans; the decision to stay put or to pack up and go is not one to be made lightly.

There is no bridge to Kelleys Island from the mainland, 5 miles away. Air service is available year-round — but only weather permitting. Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line schedules service into late fall and resumes service in the spring, but some years, the lake ice can linger, and spring fog can cause flights and ferries to be canceled. It’s never a sure bet whether you can get on or off the island in a pinch.

In the early 1900s, it was common for more than 1,000 residents to brave the conditions and stay the winter, but today that number is more like 100 to 150.

Alexi Panehal bought a cabin on the island in 2001, near her father’s. When she retired from the Diplomatic Corps in 2015, she decided to take up residence on Kelleys Island to write books. She says there are three types of residents who stay over winter: “socializers, ‘see you at church on Sunday,’ and those who hibernate.”

“The socializers organize a variety of activities,” Panehal says. “They started dancercise and yoga classes five days a week for anyone who was interested, a book club, a ‘girls in winter’ group, Wii bowling, and VFW potlucks every Sunday.”

There are also traditional island events such as the Christmas potluck, held the Friday after Thanksgiving (the mayor acting as Santa), and the December fish fry. New Year’s Eve is usually celebrated at the Kelleys Island Winery, and at the end of the winter, before the ferry starts running again, the ice party in March — on the ice, thickness permitting.

Winter life routine includes school for the few children who stay after the tourist season — this year, there are eight enrolled at Kelleys Island School.

“We have the opportunity to design programming for the individual student,” says Cindi Herndon, president of the school board. “We connect students with island entities in after-school sessions: the fire department, the Coast Guard, gallery and artist visits, Lego groups, Runners Club, and more.”

As much as they love their fair-weather homes, the winter proves to be too much of a challenge for some longtime residents. Pat and Lori Hayes have owned The Inn, an iconic bed-and-breakfast on Kelleys, for 40 years. But they seal the place snugly for winter and leave the island.

Basic services continue for those who stay. Safety services are the responsibility of the Village of Kelleys Island. “We don’t salt roads; that has been a taboo for a long time, so no expense there,” says Mayor Ron Ehrbar. “We do have to budget for heating and higher electric bills. Since we always have police on the island, we budget for the extra cost when we have to fly officers over.”

The volunteer fire department personnel are fully certified for their specialties. “In the winter, the 15-member crew is down to about six winter residents,” says Fire Chief Bobby Skeans. “We respond to fire calls, critical health issues, accidents, people through the ice — we are always updated on our water rescue training.”

The island’s EMS has had Life Flight available to evacuate critical patients to hospitals in Sandusky or Toledo for decades now — but that, of course, also depends on Mother Nature’s mood. “Life Flight is always weather permitting, so in the winter we have sometimes had to get creative,” Skeans says. “We have even transported via airboat across the ice.”

Electricity, of course, is a tricky bit for an island town. Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative maintains service on the island year-round via a pair of underwater cables and keeps an employee there 24/7 for the entire year — with additional staff sent over as needed.

“We get some severe winds, so preparation for winter includes dealing with tree issues early, and we have to make sure there are enough supplies here to last the winter,” says Dave Ervin, the Hancock-Wood lineman who staffs Kelleys full-time. “With fewer folks on the island, I get to know the ‘winter people’ by name, even join in on potlucks.”

To keep the Island Market stocked, Rob and Elic Watkins order heavy nonperishables for delivery before the ice sets in. Bread, milk, and other fresh items are flown in once the ferry stops running. “We bought our airboat to be able to collect goods from the mainland for the store,” Elic says.

Josh McGinnis, vice president and general manager for Griffing Flying Service, says winter and summer seasons are quite different for his business. “During summer, we fly mostly one trip a day into Kelleys, with the U.S. mail,” he says. “During winter, we fly four or five trips into and out of Kelleys each day, including the U.S. mail, UPS, FedEx, local freight deliveries for groceries, and passenger travel for the locals and for utility workers. We have flown a number of things to and from the island, anything from normal packages to large outboard motors, bathtubs, construction supplies, caskets, tires — lots of things.”

“We first wintered over in 1992,” says Kelleys Island resident Sandy Alexander. “Our decision to stay harkens back to the idea of a great adventure. We have a good social life with friends — walks, talks, organized activities. There is a real feeling of community.”

“The natural beauty and close ties to the full-time residents are my favorite things about the island,” says longtime resident Rick Holmes. “The winter up here is serene, quiet, and low-key.” Although “it’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” he says, “I feel this is my home here.”